Join us on Monday, May 7 at the University of Illinois at Chicago for a day of learning and networking with up to 300 bicycle advocates, planners, engineers, agency staff, and government officials, and others from around the state. With a range of session topics – from bikeway design and tips to advocacy and community engagement – the summit offers strategies to help you make progress in your town.
We’re pleased to announce that Chicago Department of Transportation Commissioner Rebekah Scheinfeld and Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn will participate as keynote speakers. IDOT is also tentatively scheduled to announce the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program grant winners at the Summit.
The Summit features keynote speakers, breakout sessions organized in three tracks, coffee talks, mobile workshops, lunch, advocacy awards, and a networking reception. Continuing education credits will also be available for professional planners and engineers. Explore session topics, speakers, and event details by clicking on the plus signs below or our take a look at our Summit schedule-at-a-glance here.
The Summit is limited to 300 attendees and already 80% full. Advance registration is required. Don’t miss out…register today!
Early Bird Registration Rates – Extended through February 28
Non-member: $65
Member: $50
Student: $30
Regular Registration Rates – Beginning March 1
Non-member: $99
Member: $65
Student: $40
Registration includes the full day program, buffet lunch, and a networking reception immediately following the summit program.
Join Ride Illinois to be eligible for a members’ discount. An annual membership starts at $30. If you’re unsure of your membership status, email us at info@rideillinois.org.
If the summit cost is an obstacle to your attendance, contact
summit@rideillinois.org to apply for a scholarship or reduced fee.
Monday, May 7, 2018
8:30 am – 9:15 am – Coffee Talks
9:30 am – 3:30 pm – Summit Program
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm – Networking Reception
University of Illinois at Chicago
Student Center East
3rd Floor Conference Center
750 S. Halsted Street
Chicago, Illinois 60607
Paid Parking is available at the Halsted/Taylor Parking Structure across the street from Student Center East building. Enter the parking garage at 760 W. Taylor St.
Opening Plenary – Keynote by Chicago DOT Commissioner Rebekah Scheinfeld
Lunch Plenary – Keynote by IDOT Secretary Randy Blankenhorn including announcement of Illinois Transportation Enhancements grant winners
Breakout Sessions – 3 Tracks
Session topics and speakers, as follows:
Infrastructure Track
Small Town and Rural Multimodal Networks Guide – An Introductory Look – Tim Gustafson, Alta Planning + Design
Chicago’s Innovative Bicycle Infrastructure – Mike Amsden, Chicago DOT
Bike-Friendly Road Projects: From Small-Scale Improvements to Complete Street Corridors – Ed Barsotti, Ride Illinois; Eric Hanss, Chicago DOT
Closing Difficult Gaps in the Trail Network: A Case Study of the Riverview Bridge in Chicago – Greg Osborne, Epstein; Lubka Benak, Chicago DOT
Mobile Workshop: Chicago’s Bicycle Infrastructure – Chicago DOT staff
Advocacy Track
Bike Walk Every Town Advocacy Training – Maggie Melin and Jim Merrell, Active Transportation Alliance
Get Involved: Engaging in Election Advocacy in Your Community – Kyle Whitehead, Active Transportation Alliance
New Bicycle Laws, Court Rulings, and a Liability Burden Shifting Proposal – Brendan Kevenides, Freeman Kevenides Law Firm
Advocating for Trail Development – Steve Simmons and Matt Gomez, Active Transportation Alliance; Brendan Lynch, Bike and Hike Charleston
Education, Encouragement, and Equity Track
From Divvy to Dockless: A Comparison of Bike Share Models – Mercy Davison, Town of Normal; Alex Hanson, Sam Schwartz; Amanda Woodall, Chicago DOT; Dave Reed, Zagster
Education and Outreach Programs in Chicago and Illinois – Sean Wiedel and Lauren Crabtree, Chicago DOT; Ed Barsotti, Ride Illinois
An Academic and Advocacy Look at Bike Equity in Chicago – Katherine Nickele, University of Illinois at Chicago; Dan Black, Slow Roll Chicago
Over a Century as a Hub: The History of Cycling in Chicago – Chris McAuliffe
All attendees are welcome to Coffee Talks will be held at 8:30 am – 9:15 am at the conference site before the Summit program officially begins. These are casual, small group discussions on specific topics that will be posted in the coming months.
Coffee Talks
Bike 2 Campus Week promotion – Kate Yoshida, University of Illinois-Chicago
Bike advocacy and climate change – Wharton Sinkler, Des Plaines bike/ped advisory committee
Electric Bikes: New Illinois law, potential for intrastructure, and promotion – Randy Neufeld, SRAM
From A to Z: Creative Marketing for Bicycle Events – Rick Brooks, Z Tour and Midwest Partners
Illinois bicycle touring routes – Gary Gilbert, Arlington Heights Bicycle Club
Non-profit community bike shops and youth programs – Alex Wilson, West Town Bikes
Normal’s Zagster bike sharing program – Mercy Davison, Town of Normal
Summit attendees can sign up to explore Chicago bike infrastructure by bicycle in our mobile workshops. A morning session (20 participants max) and an afternoon session (40 participants max, broken into 2 groups) will be led by Chicago Department of Transportation experts. Participants will ride Divvy bicycles supplied by the Chicago Department of Transportation.
The demand has already exceeded capacity. However, if you are interested in participating in one of the mobile workshops, you may still select a preference on the registration form. Confirmation of your spot in a workshop will be emailed to you closer to the event date.
Many of the summit’s breakout sessions will likely be approved for planners’ CM credits. A technical track of breakout sessions will also offer 4 hours of PDH credits. We will post detailed continuing education credits info as we finalize all of our program sessions and topics.
Contact us at summit@rideillinois.org if you have any questions.
A block of rooms have been reserved at the Crowne Plaza Chicago West Loop. The hotel is located a short walking distance – about a half mile – from both the Summit at the UIC Student Center East and Union Station. The discounted nightly rate is $165 and available until April 14th.
Crowne Plaza West Loop
733 West Madison, Chicago
Reservations must be made online here or by phone at 312.829.5000. Please mention Group Code FB8 when making reservations online or by phone.
(Unfortunately group booking links are not mobile friendly)
